How to Offer Support During Imminent Weather
Be better prepared to help before and during a crisis
Be better prepared to help before and during a crisis
Weather affects every single person on the planet. According to the World Meteorological Association, an intergovernmental organization focused on weather, “a disaster related to a weather, climate or water hazard occurred every day on average over the past 50 years.” It is likely that you or your loved ones will face a climate-related issue at some point.
In this article, we’ll go over the whys and hows of responding to weather-related crises. We’ll also discuss some nitty-gritty practicalities of weather-related preparedness.
Why you should reach out
During a weather-related crisis, you may feel unhelpful to your loved ones, especially if those loved ones live far away. But, according to a 2015 paper published in Ecology and Society, social support is a key factor in crisis-related resilience, the ability to “bounce back” and adapt.
Social support can mean many things. It can mean material support, like providing money or other resources to affected loved ones. It can mean informational support, like making sure your loved one has access to the facts they need to know. It can mean emotional support, like providing comfort and listening to your loved one’s concerns.
Weather-related disasters have far-reaching effects and can interrupt family and community life, disrupting access to vital resources. And, experts agree, weather-related disaster preparedness needs to be thought of on large, structural levels. But individual social support still helps. After a natural disaster in Mexico, those with greater social support showed fewer PTSD symptoms 6-12 months after the disaster.
The foundations for strong and resilient communities and individuals are built before a crisis occurs. Preparing for the inevitability of a weather-related crisis can make a big difference.
Creating a good foundation
Ready.gov, a website created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to promote disaster preparedness, suggests families and individuals build emergency kits. Emergency supply kits provide families and individuals with resources they may be unable to access in the wake of an emergency.
Emergency kits include food, water, first aid kits, flashlights and other necessities. (You can see ready.gov for comprehensive information.) Encouraging family and friends to put together these sorts of kits before a crisis can help in the wake of a disaster.
Make physical copies of important information. Write down the names, numbers and addresses of family members. Phones and other electronic devices that store this information normally may fail in the wake of a crisis. Write this information down and keep it somewhere safe so you can access it no matter what. Gather important documents, like medical records and passports, in a single easily accessed place. Keep a copy of your loved one’s important information, so they have it if they need it.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continuously broadcasts weather alerts and other emergency information across specific radio stations commissioned for that purpose. Battery-operated NOAA weather radios allow you to access this information at any time.
Preparing for a weather emergency in advance is the best way to ensure a good outcome in the wake of the disaster.
During and after the emergency
During and after the emergency, there are many things that families and individuals can do to help one another. The Red Cross recommends calling during off-peak hours to have the best chance of reaching your loved one. Also, text messages and emails may be easier for your loved one to access than calls in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.
On a practical level, you can assist loved ones affected by a natural disaster by getting them helpful, up-to-date information. Use official sources, like the National Weather Service, to get accurate information for your people. Use websites like DisasterAssistance.gov to get your loved one access to resources they need.
Provide emotional support. Be aware of the long road to recovery. Be patient with your affected loved ones. Read about PTSD and other conditions (like depression and anxiety) that may manifest in the wake of a disaster. Provide a listening ear to your loved one. Continue to be there in the days, weeks and months after a crisis.
Summary
Emergencies are an unfortunate but inevitable part of life. By preparing in advance and being there for your loved one in the moment, you can help yourself and your loved ones be better equipped to handle disaster when it comes.
— Weather-related crises can happen to anyone, but strong social support can help you get through them.
— Prepare in advance by making plans, gathering supplies and keeping track of important documents.
— In the aftermath, be patient with crisis-affected loved ones as they sort through the complex emotions.